wooden spar crack

L

LerninHow

New member
Just found a crack in rear spar on 7KCAB, Looking for help. I realize a tear down of the wing is in order.. However, I am considering biting the bullet and ordering the wing set from AC. Any comments appreciated
 
My '71 ECA was retro-fitted with the factory metal-spars in 2000. I like the metal wings (no flames please...flew a wooden spar 7AC for years and loved it :) and they come with the 'bigger' new struts. Based on watching the market, you should get much of your investment back when it's time to sell. Seems like a prudent long-term investment to me.

Jim
 
I just had new wings installed on my 7gcaa at the factory. Remember it's not just new spars. Its new ribs/pitot, static system, new fuel tanks, front struts, new cover and if your airplane qualifies, a 100# gross weight increase. This is a major part of an airplane restoration. If your planning on keeping your airplane, it would make sense to do it.
Ray
 
Thanks to Kalahnikid, Shazam and ernstmfg for responding. Plane is in excellent shape (restored in 2000) just the one rear spar that is cracked. Decision would be much easier if another one was on the other wing. I agree with some of the comments about the Citabria being a "fun" plane to fly.....Just a dump truck, but great....Thanks again, Jim
 
ernstmfg said:
I just had new wings installed on my 7gcaa at the factory. Remember it's not just new spars. Its new ribs/pitot, static system, new fuel tanks, front struts, new cover and if your airplane qualifies, a 100# gross weight increase. This is a major part of an airplane restoration. If your planning on keeping your airplane, it would make sense to do it.
Ray
Click to expand...
How much did it cost and how long did it take...if u dont mind me asking

Patrick
 
ACA charged the price right on the website. I think it was something like 21-22K. While I was there I also had spades put on, painted my ailerons and added battery box/window latches.
Great people to work with, very personal treatment. If you are thinking of doing it to increase the value for resale in the near future. It wouldn't be worth it. But if you're going to keep the airplane and want to have peace of mind its definitely the thing to do. I was faced with recovering my wings after hail damage. knowing that I would replace all the spars anyway it just made sense for me.
I took the aircraft to the factory rather than have them send the wings to me. Freight (to CA) was basically a wash with the expense of flying there.
 
forgot to tell the time it took. They had the airplane two days as I had already made arrangements with them to build the wings and have them ready. I think I ordered them about 6-8 weeks out. If you call, ask for Jerry Sr. he handles the wing program personally.
Ray
 
Sr is going to be having some in and out vacation during the cold months (can you blame him? Its a blizzard outside), but I will try to cover it while he is out.
'Wings' is a good department, they almost run themselves. I know we got more wing orders than normal, so it might be 9-10 weeks.

And Ray is right, the investment is better if you hang onto the plane for a while. Not forever, but more than a year or two.
 
Well, Thanks to everyone for input. However, money being an object of some concern, I decided to replace the spar with new wooden. Thanks again. Should be in air after New Year...Jim
 
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